Tiptronic? Opinions?

[Immortal1520]

Lordy, I didn't expect some of you fellas to actually be on my side on this. I was under the notion that people would be like, "get out of this forum, you tip whore" or something, hahaha.

Where it is true that I probably won't get as much out of my car in a Manual, I also live in a part of Southern California where it would be next to impossible to find a place where I could unleash it's full potential anyway. I'd have to take an hour drive to some random canyon to drive it in its element. And when you work so much like I do, I just can't find the time to do a "canyon run".

Currently, I'm driving this Boxster in a pretty urban environment, and usually to work each day. I'm no stranger to traffic everyday and I thought that it would be far too much of a trouble to drive a manual in a place where I'd be stopping and going so frequently. Despite that it's not a manual, I am absolutely in love with this car. I've only been driving it for about a month, but it's such a blast to drive.

But like Jaxonalden brilliantly said, "Lets stop the trash talk and just enjoy the fact that we all drive a Porsche."

[pbanders]

My Boxster is Tip, my 914 and M3 are manuals, and I've had many other manuals. I like the Tip more than I thought I would, I got the car with Tip because it was a great deal. It's a fun contrast to a manual, there are some interesting things you can do with it. That said, I'm glad I also have some manual cars to play with, it's a more direct and visceral connection than Tip is.

[ekam]

Okay let's go back to the weekly threads of...

1) OMG I'm so scared to drive my Boxster because the engine will blow up.

2) My Boxster is so underpowered, should I trade it in for a Vette?

3) Will these wheels fit my car?

And ocassionally Jake will jump in to one of these threads, and say "I have been gathering extensive data on this..."

:dance:

I think FTD is the only one here that understands my humour.

[FTD]

Originally Posted by ekam

Okay let's go back to the weekly threads of...

1) OMG I'm so scared to drive my Boxster because the engine will blow up.

2) My Boxster is so underpowered, should I trade it in for a Vette?

3) Will these wheels fit my car?

And ocassionally Jake will jump in to one of these threads, and say "I have been gathering extensive data on this..."


I think FTD is the only one here that understands my humour.

From FTD: Well done!

[00boxster]

Originally Posted by FTD

From FTD: Well done!

Very funny and interesting thread including;
"tip whore"
"lets get back to the regular postings . . ."
"Ive had my fair share of manuals in the past"
and "now any crappy rice burner has tip anyway"
GOLD

[Lil bastard]

'Rowing' is slowly becoming a thing of the past. What we're seeing is just the beginning.

In order for car cos. to maximize range (mpg) and minimize emissions, it's becoming increasingly important to turn over as many operating duties to the computers as possible. Add to this that it broadens the appeal in the marketplace for a respective car (which is why Porsche created the Sportmatic and Tip to begin with).

All the malarky about manliness, skill and control is just that. I'm sure there were many who clung to their start cranks when the electric starter came on the scene too, and lest we forget, there are still plenty of guys out there claiming that the only true Porsche is an aircooled one.

Power? Sure a torque converter parasitizes some power, so what? Charles and Jake are always saying power and torque curves (usable power) are more important than max power anyway, but we've yet to see any stats there. I've seen guys in Tip Boxsters and 911's spank the crap out of many on the track driving a manual. In fact, the 911 Turbo is quicker with a Tip than a manual (and this assumes a highly skilled driver doing the cog swapping).

The Tip is very well designed and produced, there are very few reported failures. And, over the life of the car, it's less maintenance intensive and less costly to own than the manual.

There's no wuss factor in driving a Tip, nor are there any man points to be had for driving a manual - anyone can be taught to do it! The best drivers in the world, F1 and Indy car drivers, now only push buttons in response to a light on their steering wheels. And that light is controlled by the computer making the driver the weak link in the chain.

There's nothing to lament, it's just evolution. Porsche knows this and that's why the 2012 911 is expected to do away with the manual altogether, relying on the PDK and a 7-step CVT (continuously variable transmission) as the only tranny options.

The Tip Boxster is a great car, and so's the manual. But it's not a contest, each has it's merits and it's weaknesses. To quote Stephen Stills: "Love the one you're with"!

[mptoledo]

Originally Posted by Lil bastard

'Rowing' is slowly becoming a thing of the past. What we're seeing is just the beginning.

In order for car cos. to maximize range (mpg) and minimize emissions, it's becoming increasingly important to turn over as many operating duties to the computers as possible. Add to this that it broadens the appeal in the marketplace for a respective car (which is why Porsche created the Sportmatic and Tip to begin with).

All the malarky about manliness, skill and control is just that. I'm sure there were many who clung to their start cranks when the electric starter came on the scene too, and lest we forget, there are still plenty of guys out there claiming that the only true Porsche is an aircooled one.

Power? Sure a torque converter parasitizes some power, so what? Charles and Jake are always saying power and torque curves (usable power) are more important than max power anyway, but we've yet to see any stats there. I've seen guys in Tip Boxsters and 911's spank the crap out of many on the track driving a manual. In fact, the 911 Turbo is quicker with a Tip than a manual (and this assumes a highly skilled driver doing the cog swapping).

The Tip is very well designed and produced, there are very few reported failures. And, over the life of the car, it's less maintenance intensive and less costly to own than the manual.

There's no wuss factor in driving a Tip, nor are there any man points to be had for driving a manual - anyone can be taught to do it! The best drivers in the world, F1 and Indy car drivers, now only push buttons in response to a light on their steering wheels. And that light is controlled by the computer making the driver the weak link in the chain.

There's nothing to lament, it's just evolution. Porsche knows this and that's why the 2012 911 is expected to do away with the manual altogether, relying on the PDK and a 7-step CVT (continuously variable transmission) as the only tranny options.

The Tip Boxster is a great car, and so's the manual. But it's not a contest, each has it's merits and it's weaknesses. To quote Stephen Stills: "Love the one you're with"!

Kudos on the well written response. I specifically looked for an auto when shopping for my boxster. When I was a kid, my first car(mgb ltd) had a manual and I loved it. It was easy to do burn outs(tires were cheap back then), But as I got/get older, I just don't have the energy for a full time manual tranny. One less thing I have to be concerned/aware of when I am driving.

Now I do have one big complaint with it, Every now and then, mostly when turning or backing up, I hit the buttons on the steering wheel. It has almost caused an accident as I am used to gassing it in 2nd gear on take off, and when its in first I tend to go a little too fast. But other than that I love it. I really think its state of the art and very intuitive.